"The problem with the current promotion system, even after all the tinkering, is that if you one of the breed who makes up for a lack of ability with doing all the bosses pet projects and odd jobs then you will probably get promoted"
Sounds like sound reasoning from an individual who has properly assessed the situation and made his own decision accordingly, and that comes from an above average Master who, because of the pension trap chose to jump through all the expected hoops to gain promotion
Maybe someone needs to do his CMT Pt 2 in order to brush up on his management skills